Are you headed for type-3 diabetes?
The origins of Alzheimer's disease remains, much like the rest of the mind, shrouded in mystery. But an interesting theory is being debated in scientific circles.
Could Alzheimer's disease be another form of diabetes?
During the disease process of Alzheimer's, brain insulin signaling stops working. Brain insulin signaling is needed for learning and in order to form memories. The signaling function is made up of interplay between insulin and insulin receptors that are located on the synapses. Once connected, a mechanism is switched on that protects the nerve cells and allows memories to form.
Brain insulin levels have been found to be lower in Alzheimer's patients. The insulin receptors on those nerve cells are actually annihilated by an attacker protein that has been associated with Alzheimer's disease. It clumps on the synapses, leaving no room for the insulin receptors that are needed there for the insulin to latch onto. While there, it also erodes the functioning capacity of the synapse by causing a change in shape and make-up of that synapse.
And with the insulin receptors being crowded out, you have a reason why memories aren't being made: The mechanism is physically incapable of breaking through and doing its job. There just isn't room for both insulin receptors and these proteins on the synapses, and this is how you get insulin resistance in the brain.
Researchers are now looking at treatments used for diabetes to see if they can be slanted toward fending off this protein. I'll keep you posted as new treatments are explored to treat this devastating disease.
